This article was first published in July 2023.
All Blacks lock Scott Barrett has explained his out-of-character shushing of replacement Wallabies halfback Nic White during their 38-7 Bledisloe Cup victory at MCG.
Barrett put in arguably his best-ever performance in black, inspiring New Zealand to their third straight win in 2023, and another Rugby Championship title.
His bone-crunching tackle on Tate McDermott that saw Shannon Frizell score a try in the opening minutes set the tone, but it was his exchanges with White that told the story.
Despite being on the receiving end of an All Blacks onslaught, like most halfbacks, White wasn't going to go away quietly.
But with his appeals falling on deaf ears, Barrett was captured gesturing to White to shush, as well as putting his finger on the halfback's lips following a ruck cleanout.
"I guess in the heat of the battle there were a few words about holding him at the breakdown," Barrett said.
"I probably cleaned him out a couple of times earlier, so it wasn't the first time he had complained to the referee.
"It is not usually like me. Normally I go back to halfway and worry about the kick-off.
"It's probably the heat of the battle I guess. A few words of advice to the ref [Wayne Barnes] so I was quietly trying to say something there I think."
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